Hectic preparations are underway for a second developmental trial of nuke-cable surface-to-surface, more than 5,000-km-range ballistic missile, the Agni-V, from the Wheeler Island scheduled to be conducted on September 15.
Along with other systems, two ships would be positioned near the pre-designated target points, sources said. The 17-metre-tall missile has been designed to carry a payload of 1,000 kg. The three-stage, solid-fuelled missile is equipped with advanced technologies.
The missile’s maiden flight test, carried out on April 19 last year, was a tremendous success. This elevated India’s defence capabilities as it entered into a group of select nations that possess the technology for developing Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
Targeting to induct the Agni-V into the armed force by 2015, another three or four tests would be conducted, said the Defence sources.